A great middleweights boxer, Hagler has died at the age of 66. His death was announced by his wife, Kay, on Hagler’s fans’ Facebook page..
While announcing the death, she wrote: “I am sorry to make a very sad announcement.
“Today unfortunately my beloved husband Marvelous Marvin passed away unexpectedly at his home here in New Hampshire. Our family requests that you respect our privacy during this difficult time.”
Hagler fought on the biggest stages of boxing against the biggest names of boxing, as he, Hearns, Leonard, and Roberto Duran ruled the middleweight category during a golden era for boxing in the 1980s.
Hagler fought 67 times in 14 years as a professional out of Brockton, Massachusetts, and he finished 62-3-2 with 52 knockouts.
He so much loved boxing to the extent of saying: “If they cut my bald head open, they will find one big boxing glove.
“That’s all I am. I live it.”
While paying tribute to him, his promoter, Bob Arum, said: “He was certainly one of the greatest middleweights ever but one of the greatest people that I’ve ever been around and promoted.
“He was a real man, loyal and just fantastic person.”
Hagler plied a very long route to greatness as he fought mostly in the Boston area before he finally got his chance at the 1979’s 160-pound title against Antuofermo as a co-main event while Leonard fought Wilfredo Benitez on the same card.
Hagler fought very well against Antuofermo and seemed to have won the fight, but as soon as the scorecards tallied, he was denied the belt with a draw.
Hagler traveled to London the following year to prevent Alan Minter to win the title, and he held the title for the next seven years before his loss to Leonard.
Born in Newark, New Jersey, Hagler relocated with his family to Brockton in the late 1960s. Petronelli brothers, Goody and Pat who operated a gym in Brockton discovered him as an amateur and Pat trained him during his entire pro career.
In 1993, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
